Boo boys need to get behind us, says Boro winger Downing

Stewart Downing has told Middlesbrough's fans to get behind the players as they attempt to stave off relegation.

Boro are four points adrift of safety after Saturday's late defeat at Stoke, where sections of the travelling support booed the players off the pitch and called for the sacking of manager Gareth Southgate.

While Downing understands the fans' frustration, he has warned that that will not help improve the club's fortunes.

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'The fans started to turn on us last week and that's the way it is going to be,' said the winger. 'They are going to get angry and frustrated. I know a few of the players got it.

'The fans are angry and I don't just think that it is at this club, the fans would do that at any club down there in our position. The fans can shout as much as they want but we need results, we need them behind us.

'The only way we will get results is if they're behind us and not against us. They have every right to be frustrated. They travelled down here and paid the money.

'I can understand how they feel - it was a three-hour drive for nothing.'

Downing remains confident Boro can retain their Barclays Premier League status, however, even though they have won one of their last 18 League fixtures.

'We need a run and if we go to Bolton in two weeks and win it's back on again - just look at Portsmouth. They have picked up four points from their last two matches and they're out of there again,' he added.

'We just need to fight. It's not about how you play, we need points. We can't hide now. We have to go out and get the results we need. There's no reason why we can't go to Bolton and get a result and start a run.'